Overview: A number of copied letters and manuscripts (all in the same clear hand) from a collection of the papers and correspondence of Henry Saint-John, Viscount Bolingbroke, whilst in the Office of Secretary of State.
They concern British trade in Spanish America (specifically the “South Sea”), leading up to, and during, the War of the Spanish Succession (1701 – 1714). In the war, England formed part of the Grand Alliance, which backed Charles VI (King of Germany, Archduke of Austria) against Philip, Duke of Anjou, for the Spanish crown. Had Charles successfully claimed the throne, he would have become Charles III of Spain, hence his title in the material.
The most arresting content accounts for two important points: firstly, how Britain’s enemy in the war, France, had made perceived advances in South Sea trade (see: Texier’s memorial*) and secondly, how Britain and her allies planned to exclude the French in the future (see: two copied treaties between Queen Anne and Charles III of Spain). That the papers belonged to Bolingbroke adds extra spice, as he is shown, in a number of letters (see: Parke, pp.35-40), to have been an advocate of the expansion of British trade in the South Seas, while also being identified for his French sympathies throughout his political career.
* Gilbert Parke, the editor of Letters and Correspondence, Public and Private, of the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Bolingbroke (G.G. & J. Robinson 1798. University of Chicago), notes that he possesses “two memoirs of a Monsieur Texier, upon the subject [of French trade in the South Sea], which were delivered to his Lordship”. p.40
Contents:
1. Texier’s memorials.
a). Translation of Mr Texier’s Memoriall – concerning the Coast of the South Sea. Folio. (21pp.)
A memorial, surely intended for those involved in trade to “the South Sea or South America”. Including advice on how to befriend Governors, how best to pass the Straits of Magellan and where to anchor along the coast of the South Sea, the coast of Caracquo, Cathegena, Portobello and the Gulf of Mexico.
b). Translation of Mr Texier’s Memoriall – relating to ye trade carryed on in the South Sea between the French & the Spaniards. Folio. (19pp.)
Texier details the trade between the French and the Spanish in South America (of slaves and other merchandise), focusing on the French Company, The Company de la Siente: their practices, factories, trade routes. He also provides an analysis of which trade materials are most profitable: stating that aside from the ever-present demand for slaves, there is a market for cloths, papers, white wax, and shoes (men’s “that are little and well made of a thin leather, with red tops and red heals” and women’s “of all colours”). Iron, he writes, “is the best commodity you can carry”.
It is possible that one sees, in this memorial, the raw material for the wild speculation over the estimated profitability of British trade in the South Sea, which led to the formation of the South Sea Company and the subsequent South Sea Bubble (that is, if the British establishment ever genuinely believed in the venture, which is deemed to be unlikely by the current historical consensus: viewing the scheme as a means of harvesting public money).
Also: an additional memorial, concerning the victuals on board French ships and how they are distributed. Texier states that the Clerk and Master, if found to be selling wine, brandy or liquor on the ship, are put to death; as the men, if allowed to do so, will drink thirstily “and when they go to sleep with their breasts open … they die in 24 hours, and so you lose your crew”.
2. Treaty of Alliance and Commerce.
a). Copy of a Treaty between King Charles of Spain and her Majesty. In Latin. Folio. (9.5pp) 10 July 1707
A copy of the Treaty of Alliance and Commerce; concluded between Queen Anne and the so-called Charles III, King of Spain at Barcelona (June 29/July 10 1707). As the Treaty was effectively a payment for British financial and military assistance, the 8 articles form the basis for providing Britain with a number of commercial privileges in Spanish dominions (particularly those in Spanish America).
b). Copy of the secret article of the Treaty concluded between her Majesty and King Charles the Third of Spain. In Latin. Folio. (11.5pp.) 10 July 1707
A copy of a separate article, also signed on July 10. This “secret” article concerns the future creation of an Anglo-Spanish trading company, operating in Spanish-America. It also secures equal privileges for British and Spanish traders in the Indies, if, for whatever reason, a joint trading company could not be formed. In both outcomes, French subjects would be permanently banned from any traffic in the Spanish Indies. The two manuscripts bear the copied signatures of: Anton Florian, Prince of Liechtenstein; Don Manuel Joaquin Garcia Alvarez, Count of Oropesa; Don Jose Solis Folch, Count of Cardona; James Stanhope.
3. South Sea Company letters.
a). Copy of letters from Lord Viscount Bolingbroke to Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Folio. 4 letters (“contemporary copies”, as stated in the orig. Sotheby’s catalogue). (4pp.) 17/7/1713; 17/5, 26/5 and 5/6 1714.
Four letters concerning the activities of the South Sea Company: - Licenses granted by the King of Spain and given to the Company by the Queen. - An order to the Anglesea, to transport the Prince of Santo Bueno and the Marquis of Villa Rocha from Cadiz to Peru and Panama.
b). Copy of Capt. Johnson’s letter to the South Sea Comp. Folio. (4.5pp.) 15 June 1714
R[obert] J[ohnson] to the South Sea Company. His rejection of an offer, proposed by Mr John de Costa and Mr Moore, to take a cargo “of about 20,000 £” aboard his ship. Johnson explains how such an act would have gone against his original orders.
